After that, we went back to our daily routine. Since the assassination attempt, I had noticed that there were more guards around the palace, but other than that, nothing had really changed. When the date for the next state meeting arrived, I accompanied Soo-Won as usual. It went well, bringing us one step closer to passing laws that would help those in drought-stricken regions, yet all I could seem to focus on during the meeting was Lord Fuwasa's empty seat. I asked Soo-Won about it afterwards, and he told me that he had disappeared on the night of the incident and had yet to be found.

"But don't worry," he assured me, "we'll definitely catch him."

I still felt a bit uneasy, but I determinedly pushed it from my mind, telling myself that there was nothing more I could do.

Meanwhile, my two months of teaching were rapidly coming to an end. Although I had originally thought I would feel increasing joy as the day of my release drew near, I was only growing more and more confused. During all my years of servitude, my sole dream had been freedom. Now it was finally so close that I could almost touch it, and I felt anything but happy. What was wrong with me? It was true that I would miss Ayura, Tetora, Hak, and all the other palace servants that had become my friends, but the feeling I got when I thought about leaving Soo-Won was different. It filled me with a strange emptiness that I couldn't understand. I had so many questions, and I desperately wished that my parents were still alive so I could ask them about it.

For his part, Soo-Won never even mentioned the topic of my leaving. I didn't know whether he had forgotten, or if he simply didn't care enough to bring it up. Either way, his indifference left me feeling hurt and even more lost.

Finally, the night before the end of my time at the palace, I resolved to talk to Ayura and Tetora about it. They were the only ones I could go to. I waited until we were alone in my room, and was trying to think of a way to start the conversation when Tetora reached out and touched my arm lightly. Her warm, hazel eyes were filled with concern.

"Lady Lily? Do you have something on your mind?" she asked in a gentle tone that completely destroyed any bit of control I had left.

I was so taken aback that I couldn't even form words at first, and before I knew it tears were welling up in my eyes. They both hugged me tightly until I had composed myself enough to speak.

"I…I'm just so confused," I began haltingly, but as I continued the words came more easily. I explained everything to them in a torrent, and by the end they were smiling at each other broadly.

"What is it?" I asked in bewilderment. "Why are you smiling?"

"Isn't it obvious, Lady Lily?" Ayura spoke at last. "You love him."

"I…what?" I repeated, completely dumbfounded.

"That's the only explanation I know of," she said with a smile, while Tetora nodded in emphatic agreement.

My mind reeled at their words. I loved Soo-Won? The thought of loving him, or anyone, romantically had never even occurred to me. Ever since my parent's death, I had come to terms with the fact that I would likely be alone for the rest of my life. After all, with my dowry having been taken away after my parent's passing, I knew that no one would ever think of marrying me. It had taken time, but I had eventually convinced myself that I was alright with this, and had even grown to like the idea of being a single, independent woman. Besides, how could I have fallen in love with such a lazy, cowardly airhead? I was on the verge of telling them that they were mistaken, when I suddenly recalled a conversation that I had had with my mother long ago.

I had probably been around eight or nine years old at the time, and I had just gotten into another quarrel with some of the perpetually obnoxious boys in my village. I went running to my mother and after telling her all about it, declared loudly that I hated boys. My mother had simply smiled and said enigmatically that that wouldn't last forever.

"What do you mean?" I had asked with a mixture of indignation and curiosity.

She stopped drying the dishes and sat down to give me her full attention, as she always did when she was serious about something. "I mean Lily, that someday, when you meet the right man, you will find that you no longer feel that way. Just like me and your father."

"But papa's different!" I had insisted, raising my chin high in the air. "He's not at all like those smelly, abominable boys."

She had smiled again and said gently, "That's not true, Lily. Your father has many faults, and I know them all well. True love is when you know those faults, yet still want to be by that person's side."

She hadn't been able to get me to understand at the time, but now the meaning of her words was as clear as day. Lazy, cowardly, and an airhead he may be, but I loved him all the same. I knew now that this was what my mother had been talking about. I kissed my necklace reverently, and sent up a silent thanks to my dear, wise mother.

Turning to Ayura and Tetora with a new sense of clarity and purpose I said, "You're right. I do love him, and I don't want to leave. I know that now."

I had never seen them look so overjoyed. "That's right, Lady Lily," Ayura smiled mischievously, "but we're not the ones you should be telling that to, are we?"

I knew that she was referring to Soo-Won, and though I desperately wanted to tell him how I felt, doubts began to creep unbidden into my mind. I stubbornly shook my head to dispel them and stood up. "You're right," I said, "and even if he doesn't feel the same way right now, I won't give up. My parents always said that I have a way of wearing down on people, after all," I added with a saucy grin.

"That's the spirit, Lady Lily," Tetora gave me a slight push towards the door as she spoke.

They waved me off with wide smiles and Ayura called loudly, "Don't come back until you tell him, you hear?" I smiled my thanks, then turned determinedly and headed for Soo-Won's room. Ayura, Tetora, my heart whispered as I walked, thank you both for everything.

I knocked and without even waiting to get permission, flung open the door and entered. I had acted fast to prevent myself from backing out, but now that I was here, I was starting to panic. I was debating running away when Soo-Won spotted me.

"Lily," he looked surprised, but not displeased. He took in my flushed cheeks and disheveled appearance. Too late, I realized that I hadn't even fixed my hair and dress, and once again felt an almost overwhelming desire to flee.

"Are you alright?" he asked with evident concern.

"Y-Yes, I'm fine," I stammered, feeling myself turn red.

"I see. Well that's good, then. Here," he gestured to a nearby chair, "please have a seat."

I obeyed and tried without avail to keep my hands from shaking. I attempted to hide them in my lap, but it didn't escape Soo-Won's keen eye.

"Are you certain that everything's alright?" Hearing the tenderness in his voice immediately calmed my heart.

"I'm fine, truly. I just came to tell you that…"

"Yes?" he prompted gently.

"I-It's about my leaving tomorrow," I managed.

"Oh yes," he said cheerfully, "tomorrow's the big day, isn't it? You don't need to worry about the travel arrangements. I've already asked the cook to prepare a basket of food for you, and I've hired a chauffer to take you wherever you want. Of course, you will also be compensated according to our deal, and—"

"That's not what I meant!" I exclaimed while staring resolutely into my lap.

He stopped short. "Lily…?"

"That's not…what I want…" I drew a deep breath and looked him straight in the eye. "I love you! That's why…I don't want to leave! So please…please let me stay with you!"

He was clearly startled by my outburst, but I couldn't read his emotions. I watched anxiously as he silently leaned forward until our faces were almost touching. He gently lifted up my chin, so I was looking into his eyes. "Do you really mean it, Lily?" he asked softly. "You really love me?"

I nodded breathlessly, too lost in the depths of his eyes to speak.

With a deep sigh, he let go of me and slumped back in his chair. He said nothing for several moments, and I finally said in a voice filled with disappointment, "You're unhappy, aren't you?"

He leaped to his feet. "That's not it all!" he cried. Checking himself, he said, "I'm just so happy, because…because I love you too, Lily."

I searched his face, but there was no trace of falsehood in his eyes. As if looking at them for the first time, I saw the love that radiated in those blue orbs. With a cry of joy, I threw myself into his arms.

Now it was my turn to seek assurance. "You really love me?" I stood on tiptoe and looked up at him questioningly.

He embraced me tenderly. "I do," he murmured in my ear.

We stayed there for a long time, but at last he released me and said, "I only have one request, Lily. I would like you to stop attending state meetings."

"But why…?" I asked in confusion.

"Please Lily, trust me on this. It's for your own safety," he said with an intensity that frightened me. Just like the time before when I was almost poisoned, I thought to myself.

I chose my words carefully as I answered. "It makes me happy that you're worried about me," I began, "but I can't do that. I want to keep working together, as your partner, to build a better country. If I'm going to be your queen," I could feel myself blushing, but I continued anyways, "I want to do all I can to help you."

I watched him closely. I could tell that he was fighting with something, but he finally sighed and said with a teasing smile, "There's no arguing with you, is there? I'm beginning to wonder what I've gotten myself into."

I merely giggled and hugged him once again.